Karl Keating's E-Letter of August 2, 2005 - Page 2

Siena · #16 Aug 2, '05, 10:03 pm

KARL-
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO VEIW THE THREAD IN THE WATER COOLER "I'M TAKING BACK THE RAINBOW" (sorry, I can't link yet)
IS THIS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADDRESS IN A FUTURE E-LETTER?

THANKS!

shannon e · #17 Aug 2, '05, 11:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Keating

I entered apologetics gradually, over nearly a decade. There was no sudden switch to a new line of work--and not much effort at discernment either, I'm afraid.
...

Could you expand on that at all for me/us?

What do you mean by not much effort at discernment involved-- do you think that you were able to go along with God's will kind of on a day by day basis? (what were you aware of?) Or something else? IOW, could you expand on that

?

Greg Sheryl · #18 Aug 3, '05, 4:08 am

Karl,

Thank you for an inspirational and insightful message!

Sincerely, in Christ,
Greg Sheryl

DVIN CKS · #19 Aug 3, '05, 4:18 am

Lately, I've noticed a lot of things happening in my life that can only be explained by the workings of the Holy Spirit. People come into my life at just the right time; all of a sudden or sometimes gradually I'm illuminated with a piece of wisdom that helps me understand something that I've been praying about. Or - like yesterday, I read something that goes straight to the heart of an issue I've been sturggling with. Thank you Karl for the well timed e-letter. The Holy Spirit was at work in your letter so that I could be helped in my journey back to God.

MarkAnthonyCozy · #20 Aug 3, '05, 7:04 am

It's so easy to think back on past decisions and play the "what if" game in my mind. Don't things seem to work out perfectly when we play out those "what it" scenarios in our minds?

Just like when I made those decisions that I today regret; they seemed to play out perfectly when they were played out in my mind.

And, if that which I have today were taken away, I would surely regret loosing it. Remorse prevents us from seeing how God has blessed us. Remorse negates the gift which is the present.

Of all the decisions that come before us, only one decision can bring us joy. Not job, nor spouse, nor investment, nor house; only God can bring us joy.

For us God exists in the here and now, ever present before us. Herein lies true joy in that we are loved by the Lord of all creation. Today we can choose to follow him. Today we can know true joy.

The only thing that we take to heaven with us is our relationship with God. In the end that is all that matters.

Thank you Mr. Keating for your timely letter which has helped me through a trying time.

**Karl Keating** · #21 Aug 3, '05, 8:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannon e

What do you mean by not much effort at discernment involved-- do you think that you were able to go along with God's will kind of on a day by day basis? (what were you aware of?) Or something else?

I mean I didn't make much attempt to discern what path I should take. I just blundered ahead. Perhaps I could say I was open to God's will but was not particularly insistent that he reveal it to me.

shannon e · #22 Aug 3, '05, 11:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkAnthonyCozy

...Remorse prevents us from seeing how God has blessed us. Remorse negates the gift which is the present.

Of all the decisions that come before us, only one decision can bring us joy. Not job, nor spouse, nor investment, nor house; only God can bring us joy.

For us God exists in the here and now, ever present before us. Herein lies true joy in that we are loved by the Lord of all creation. Today we can choose to follow him. Today we can know true joy.

The only thing that we take to heaven with us is our relationship with God. In the end that is all that matters.
...

So true, so true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Keating

I mean I didn't make much attempt to discern what path I should take. I just blundered ahead. Perhaps I could say I was open to God's will but was not particularly insistent that he reveal it to me.

Yes. There seems to be a certain ease of acceptance there, that I want to let happen in my own life.

Fridays child · #23 Aug 3, '05, 11:57 am

Thank you so much for this E-letter. I have been
full of remorse for past sins even though confessed.
And now I realize the difference between sorrow and remorse. Thanks to your E-letter I have now
cast out the spirit of remorse and hopefully I can
go forward in my spiritual life instead of backward.

God bless you.

Marie · #24 Aug 3, '05, 12:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

Let us be sorrowful over the sins we have committed, grateful for the forgiveness we have received, and resolved to do better in the future, but let us not dwell fruitlessly on a past that daily slips further from us. That is a true waste.

Thanks Karl!

It's a keeper. Hit the nail on the head and then some. Made my day.

Mijoy2 · #25 Aug 3, '05, 1:09 pm

I also enjoyed this letter. However the letter seems to emphasize regrets and/or remorse feelings, with reference to mistakes or "wrong turns" that are in the past. Many of my wrong turns and mistakes I am still living the ramifications of every day. To these my remorse is in the present, not a distant memory of the past. I look forward to the day that I can refer to my "12 years" (which is now approaching 23) as a past wrong turn. For just one example.

I think all my turns have been left, resulting in a life of spinning in circles.

But having said that, the theme of the letter is well recieved and quite helpful. Thank God for his forgiveness and the sacrement of reconciliation.

auppie · #26 Aug 3, '05, 3:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

Thanks Karl!

It's a keeper. Hit the nail on the head and then some. Made my day.

I couldn't agree more.

kayla · #27 Aug 4, '05, 8:48 am

Thanks Karl!!!

Your letter was an inspiration to me, as I carried my remose of my past sins around like a big chip on my shoulder...now I have a new outlook on how to deal with them.

miguel · #28 Aug 4, '05, 8:57 am

Karl, I want to say thank you as well. It's timely in my case. I'll be passing it along to family members.

maggiec · #29 Aug 4, '05, 5:52 pm

What a wonderfully uplisting article. Sometimes we need to be reminded that there is a difference between sorrow and remorse.
Thank you for putting things into perspective again.
maggiec

Catholic4aReasn · #30 Aug 4, '05, 6:27 pm

Hi Karl!

I recently started corresponding with a man in prison who wants to know more about the Catholic faith. At least that's what I thought we'd be corresponding about. All of the letters he sends me, however, have so much to do with his hanging on to his past. After praying for some guidance before starting my letter back to him I received you're e-letter. Praise God! It will accompany my next letter to him. Thanks!!

In Christ,
Nancy